The Northwest College Board of Trustees has taken the first steps toward replacing President Stefani Hicswa, who is leaving to become chancellor at Montana State University — Billings.

On Monday, following a two-hour executive session that was closed to the public, the board announced it had identified a candidate for interim president, who will lead NWC while a search for a permanent president is underway.

The board didn’t disclose the name of the candidate, but trustees did vote to begin negotiating compensation and duties with him or her; the board said it won’t announce the candidate’s name until contract negotiations are complete and a contract is signed.

Speaking after the meeting, Board President Dusty Spomer said they expect to have those negotiations complete within the next two weeks. He explained that the board wanted to keep the person’s identity private to prevent the candidate’s pursuit of the position from negatively impacting him or her professionally, since there is still the possibility that negotiations won’t result in an agreement.

After Monday’s meeting moved back into open session, Spomer said it was in the public’s interest for the trustees to openly discuss their thoughts on the task of finding a new president.

Trustee Larry Todd said that, during the executive session, the trustees discussed the need for an “open and collaborative search process that allows as many community, faculty and staff as possible to” participate. Todd said the search for a permanent president would be national in scope, in hopes of soliciting a diverse set of candidates.

The board appointed a search committee composed of Todd, Trustee John Housel, and Trustee-elect Tara Kuipers. The group will begin meeting before the full board gathers again in December, to begin laying out the process and details of the search.

The three trustees will select a chairperson, who will then be the contact for a larger search advisory committee — to be formed later — which will have representation from various stakeholders at the college and broader community.

“There’s clearly a consensus [on the board] that we want this to be a broad and open search, and that it will be very inclusive of the various constituent groups,” Spomer said Tuesday evening.

The process is expected to take multiple months.

A final meeting

Monday’s meeting was the last that Hicswa will attend as NWC’s president, and she took the opportunity to speak candidly about the idea of rebranding the college.

The goal of the proposal — which has drawn support from the board and community focus groups — is to further distinguish Northwest College, as so many institutions have “northwest” in their name.

Hicswa said she “strongly” supports a name change to Yellowstone College, which she said would provide the “impetus” for the school’s transformation; part of that transformational effort  seeks to boost enrollment and stabilize the college’s finances, as state support is severely cut.

“I think it creates a niche for this college, together with interdisciplinary and academic changes that focus on the Yellowstone ecosystem,” Hicswa said of Yellowstone College. “That gives Northwest College something different that no one else can claim.”

Hicswa added that, with the growing online learning offerings at NWC, the school can offer a Yellowstone curriculum that appeals to people all over the world. Residency halls can then be used for temporary stays, as part of an online curriculum.

She added that increased online instruction would not diminish the need for improved facilities.

“I still think a student center is imperative to the success of the college, as is a visual and performing arts building,” Hicswa said.

In his original budget, Gov. Mark Gordon had recommended $10 million in funding for the student center, but the Legislature didn’t approve it or any other capital projects. A new visual and performing arts center has yet to go beyond the initial stages of planning.

Hicswa also urged the board to focus on expanding trade programs offerings. The school’s current facilities served the mission of being a transfer college, she said, but as that mission changes, it will need  facilities that can accommodate trade programs.

“Our plumbing program is a closet,” Hicswa said.

She went on to encourage the board to be “bold and brave and think courageously” as it pursues the institution’s transformation. With the need for other revenue sources, she said that transformation is vital to the college’s success in the future. 

“I have given my heart and soul for the last seven and a half years to something that’s very special. What makes it special is the people,” Hicswa said.

Farewells

The trustees also took the opportunity to wish Hicswa luck in her new position and thank her for her service to NWC and the community of Powell.

“It’s been a pleasure and uplifting to have you as president,” said Trustee Carolyn Danko.

Trustee Mark Wurzel said that, while he wished Hicswa well, her departure is a “grievous loss” to NWC; Wurzel said she had given the college a direction that will last beyond her tenure.

Trustee Housel noted that Hicswa had incorporated a study of NWC into her dissertation, which “shows her interest in Northwest College went back a long, long way.”

Housel referred to Hicswa as a “marvelous friend” and recalled that when Hicswa was president of Miles Community College, she called him to discuss the budgetary challenges the two colleges shared. The conversation, Housel said, left him with the impression that Hicswa was considering pursuing the president’s position at NWC.

Todd, who joined the board in July, said Hicswa had been an invaluable resource as he learned the ins and outs of serving.

“As a new trustee, you’ve been exceptional at your educational skill. Trusteeship 101 has been a trying class, but as an instructor, you’ve been exceptional,” Todd said.

Hicswa went on leave as of Wednesday, and her last official day as president will be Jan. 8. Lisa Watson, vice president of administrative services, is currently serving as NWC’s acting president.